Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) include Autistic disorder, Asperger's syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). These are developmental disorders beginning prior to three years of age. Recent Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates suggest that ASD affects up to 1 in 100 individuals and up to 1 in 50 boys. There are very substantial costs associated with caring for patients with ASD, and ASD has the highest Caregiver Burden Scores of any condition. There are three core symptom domains of ASD, including social deficits, repetitive behaviors and language deficits. Patients can also have associated symptoms of attentional deficits, disruptive behaviors and intellectual disability. There is currently no Food and Drug administration (FDA) approved treatment for the core symptoms of autism, but risperidone and aripiprazole have FDA approval for disruptive behaviors associated with autism.

This is a 12 week randomized double blind placebo controlled trial of Milnacipran in adults with ASD or Aspergers Syndrome. Milnacipran is said to play a role in the activation and normalization of the locus coeruleus-noradrenergic system, of which is hypothesized to play a role in behavior adaptations and performance.

Change will be measured in each subject's score on the Conners from baseline through study end (week 12). It is a clinically expert rating scale used to measure attention dysfunction. It offers good psychometric properties and psychopathological item content focused on inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Change in subjects on placebo, will be compared to those receiving the study drug.

Patients will receive a titrated dose of milnacipran increasing to a maximum of 100mg a day over the 12 week study period. Dosing will be based on a fixed schedule that will be monitored using a side effect profile.

Other Name: Savella

Placebo Comparator: Placebo

Drug: Placebo

Subjects will be given placebo tablets at dosing corresponding to the fixed schedule between 12.5mg and 100mg.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years to 50 Years

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Male and Female patients

Aged 18-50 years

Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder

IQ greater than 70

Exclusion Criteria:

Pregnant subjects

Patients deemed by comprehensive psychiatric interview to have a significant risk of suicide

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01337700